Leopard Lily, Blackberry lily, Leopard Flower
Belamcanda chinensis

Family: Iridaceae

What it is like

Bloom Color: Orange, Yellow. Main Bloom Time: Late summer, Mid summer. Form: Upright or erect.

Belamcanda chinensis is a PERENNIAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in) by 0.3 m (1ft) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8. It is in flower from August to October, and the seeds ripen from September to November. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 1

Where it is found

Shrubberies and banks at the edge of cultivation in rich damp soils in the Himalayas.

E. Asia - China, Japan, Himalayas.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 1

Leaves - cooked. Caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.

Medicine

Rating: 3

The leopard lily has a very long history of use in traditional Chinese medicine. It is a bitter cooling herb that acts mainly on the lungs and the liver, lowering fevers and reducing inflammation. It is effective against a number of bacterial, fungal and viral organisms and has also been used as an antidote to snakebites. The root contains several medically active constituents including flavonoids and isoflavonoids. It also contains the glucosides belamcandin, tectoridin, shekanin and iridin. It is analgesic, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, depurative, expectorant, febrifuge, pectoral, purgative, stomachic and tonic. It is used in the treatment of acute laryngitis, acute tonsillitis, oedema of the glottis and cough with profuse sputum. The juice of the root is used in Nepal to treat liver complaints, where it has the added benefit of improving the appetite. This juice is also used to abort a foetus during the first trimester of pregnancy. The root should not be prescribed for pregnant women. The root is harvested in the summer and autumn, and dried for later use.

Abortifacient: Causes an abortion.

Analgesic: Relieves pain.

Antibacterial: Kills bacteria.

Antidote: Counters poisoning.

Antifungal: An agent that inhibits or destroys fungi. Used in the treatment of various fungal problems such as candida.

Antiinflammatory: Reduces inflammation of joints, injuries etc.

Depurative: Eliminates toxins and purifies the system, especially the blood.

Expectorant: Clears phlegm from the chest by inducing coughing.

Febrifuge: Reduces fevers.

Hepatic: Acts on the liver (for better or worse!).

Pectoral: Relieves respiratory diseases, a remedy for chest diseases.

Purgative: A drastic laxative causing a cleansing or watery evacuation of the bowels, usually with a griping pain.

Stomachic: Aids and improves the action of the stomach.

Tonic: Improves general health. Slower acting than a stimulant, it brings steady improvement.

Other

Rating:

The root contains tannin.

Tannin: An astringent substance obtaied from plants, it is used medicinally, as a dye and mordant, stabilizer in pesticide etc.

How it is grown

Landscape Uses:Border, Container, Massing, Woodland garden. Requires a fairly rich sandy or loamy soil in a bright sunny position or light shade. Succeeds in most soils. Requires a position that stays moist in the summer. Plants grow best in areas with long hot summers. A fairly hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to about -15°c if given a deep dry mulch over the winter. A short lived plant, the bulbs are usually lifted in the autumn and stored in a cool but frost-free place over the winter, replanting them in the spring. They can be left in the ground in the milder areas of the country so long as the soil is well-drained. Individual flowers only live for one day, but the plant produces a succession of blooms over a period of several weeks. Slugs really love this plant and can destroy even quite large clumps as they come into growth in the spring. Special Features:Not North American native, Naturalizing, Attracts butterflies, Suitable for cut flowers, Suitable for dried flowers, Attractive flowers or blooms.

Propagating it: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. Pre-chill stored seed for 7 days and sow spring in a cold frame. The seed germinates in 2 - 8 weeks at 20°c. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle. They can be planted out in early autumn and should flower in the following year. Division in spring or early autumn. Larger divisions can be planted straight into their permanent positions whilst smaller clumps are best potted up and kept in a cold frame until they are growing away well.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade;

Habit: Perennial

Hardiness: 4-10

Growth: Fast

Soil: Light (sandy), medium

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

The plant is slightly toxic.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Iris chinensis. Ixia chinensis.